Photo Flash: First Look at Sideshow Theatre's IDOMENEUS

Sideshow Theatre Company kicks off its 2012/13 season with the American premiere of the mythological mash-up IDOMENEUS by Roland Schimmelpfennig, translated by David Tushingham and directed by Sideshow Artistic Director Jonathan L. Green. Featuring the largest cast in Sideshow's history, this tidal wave of theatrical storytelling plays now through September 23, 2012, at the DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

IDOMENEUS features Sideshow Ensemble members Matt Fletcher and Nate Whelden and Sideshow Artistic Associate Karie Miller with McKenzie Chinn, Katy Carolina Collins, Joshua Davis, JoeydeBettencourt, Hank Hilbert, Ann James, Susaan Jamshidi, Danny Junod, Lona Livington, Kyra Morris, Cody Proctor and Dylan Stuckey.

Idomeneus, King ofCrete, has killed his son. Or maybe not. Maybe he's let his son live, but angered the gods in doing so. Or maybe the person he thinks is his son is an imposter. Maybe his real son actually turned into a talking, shape-shiftingsea-creature and is back to have a heart-to-heart. Or maybe it's all true, all at once. A kaleidoscope of monsters, mythmaking and sudden, striking humor, the U.S. premiere of Roland Schimmelpfennig's smash-hit IDOMENEUS details the end of a war between nations and the beginning of a war between reason and superstition. Idomeneus makes a promise to the gods, and what comes next is a fractured and lyrical modernized myth brought to life with astounding theatricality by Sideshow's adventurous ensemble of storytellers.

The creative team for IDOMENEUS includes: Joe Schermoly (Scenic Designer), Kristin DeiTos (Costume Designer), Mac Vaughey (Lighting Designer), Michael Huey (Co-Sound Designer/Composer), Sideshow Artistic Associate Christopher M. LaPorte (Co-Sound Designer/Composer), Katie Spelman (Movement Coordinator) and Benjamin W. Dawson (Production Manager).

Roland Schimmelpfennig is one of the mostproduced European playwrights. His plays have been translated into over 20 languages and he made his U.S. debut in 2007 with a production of his play Arabian Nights, produced by NYC's Play Company. At present, he is the resident playwright at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg. In 2010, Schimmelpfennig was awarded the Mühlheimer Dramatists Award for his play The Golden Dragon. The play premiered at the Burgtheater Vienna last season and will receive about 20 productions this and the upcoming season in Europe. Schimmelpfennig also received the highest Playwriting Award in Germany, the Else-Lasker-Schüler-Prize, to honor his entire oeuvre.

Founded in 2007, Sideshow Theatre Company's mission is to mine The Collective Unconscious of the world we live in with limitless curiosity, drawing inspiration from the familiar stories, memories and images we all share to spark new conversation and bring our audiences together as adventurers in a communal experience of exploration.

In the Spring 2011, Sideshow produced the runaway robotic hit Heddatron by Elizabeth Meriwether, as part of Steppenwolf Theatre's 2nd Annual GARAGE REP. The production ran to packed houses and rave reviews, and its innovative and quirky robotics designs won Sideshow its first Non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Award, for Artistic Specialization. In July 2012, Sideshow's world premiere of Calamity West's The Gacy Play, developed with the playwright over the course of two years, had its world premiere at Theater Wit.

For additional information on Sideshow Theatre Company or details on tickets, scheduling and more, visit www.sideshowtheatre.org.

Photo credit: Jonathan L. Green

Kyra Morris, Cody Proctor and Joey deBettencourt with the ensemble of Sideshow Theatre Company’s production of IDOMENEUS

Joey deBettencourt (front right) and the ensemble

The ensemble of Sideshow Theatre Company’s production of IDOMENEUS

Cody Proctor (center) and the ensemble

The ensemble of Sideshow Theatre Company’s production of IDOMENEUS

McKenzie Chinn and Joey deBettencourt with the ensemble

Dylan Stuckey (front left) and Matt Fletcher (front right) with the ensemble

Ann James (left), Cody Proctor (bottom right) and the ensemble